Six Killed, 49 Injured in Tragic Mumbai BEST Bus Crash; Brake Failure Suspected
A state-run BEST bus loses control and crashes into pedestrians, vehicles, and a police car in Mumbai’s Kurla West; authorities investigate mechanical failure
Mumbai: A horrific crash involving a Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) bus claimed six lives and left 49 others injured in Mumbai’s Kurla West on Monday night. The accident occurred around 9:50 PM when the bus, suspected to have experienced brake failure, lost control and collided with several vehicles and pedestrians before slamming into the gates of a residential complex.
The red electric bus, which was traveling from Kurla station to Andheri, initially crashed into an autorickshaw. CCTV footage captured the bus speeding down the road, ramming the first vehicle it encountered and swerving uncontrollably for over 200 meters. Eyewitnesses reported scenes of panic as the bus continued to hit more vehicles and pedestrians. The bus even struck a police car before finally coming to a stop.
A municipal corporation official confirmed the brake failure theory, explaining that the driver may have lost control due to the malfunction. “The driver lost control and rammed pedestrians and vehicles before crashing into a residential complex,” the official said.
Eyewitnesses’ Accounts
Zaid Ahmed, a local resident, was among the first to reach the scene. “I saw a BEST bus had hit pedestrians, an autorickshaw, and three cars. There were bodies lying on the road, and we immediately helped rescue the passengers in the autorickshaw,” he told PTI. Other witnesses described the chaos and horror as the bus swerved for over 200 meters, hitting people and vehicles in its path.
The bus involved in the accident was a 12-meter-long electric vehicle manufactured by Olectra and had been in service for only three months. It was on a wet lease from private operator EVEY Trans, which supplied the drivers. The vehicle was registered on August 20, 2024, and was part of the BEST fleet.
Investigation Underway
Mumbai Police have launched an investigation into the crash, focusing on the mechanical condition of the bus and the driver’s actions. Authorities are also reviewing the vehicle’s maintenance records to determine if any defects were present. The newness of the bus has raised concerns regarding its mechanical performance.
The Tragic Toll
In addition to the six fatalities, 49 people were injured, several of them critically. Emergency services rushed to the site, and many of the injured were taken to nearby hospitals, including Bhabha Hospital.
This tragic incident has once again raised concerns about the safety of public transport systems and the maintenance of vehicles used for state-run services. Authorities are under pressure to ensure that such accidents do not happen again, especially in a city like Mumbai with its dense population and heavy traffic.